I actually like the sidequests. When I finally got to (SPOILER)Gran Pulse, it felt like a different game in some ways, FFXIII.2 if you will. The linearity gets a lot of hate, which I don't mind but it will take away a lot of the replay value (unless they've added a New Game+ option). What bothers me is the way the game restricts options until it thinks you're ready for them. Not being able to change party members or Roles was a major pain.

It's very pretty looking but I wish more effort had been made in the script and less on glossy exteriors. That being said, the game is addictive and generally fun to play, once it lets you play the way you want to.